Seat



April 8, 1953 A. F. HICKMAN 2,636,544

. SEAT Filed Sept. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. m am. an By 0%. fin-a W I April 1953 A. F. HICKMAN 2,636,544

SEAT

Filed Sept. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 106 I g 90 O 99 100 April 23, 3 A. F. HICKMAN 2,636,544

' SEAT Filed Sept. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. W a m 6 MJGI Manges/5.

April 8, 1953 A. F. HICKMAN 2,636,544

SEAT

Filed Sept. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 28, 1953 SEAT Albert F. Hickman, Eden, N. Y., assignor to Hickman Industries, Inc. Eden, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 2, 1948, Serial No. 47,390

2 Claims.-

This invention relates to a seat and more particularly to a resiliently mounted floating chair-. type seat, particularly adapted for use in ve-l hicles such as trucks, buses, locomotive cabs, pleasure cars, airplanes and the like, to cushion the driver or passenger against objectionable or harmful shocks, jars and vibrations caused by the vehicle passing over uneven roads or rails, or, in the case of airplanes, in landing. The floating chair-type seat forming the subject of the invention is, however, also available for use in boats or on vibrating stationary machinery, or wherever a resiliently mounted seat is desirable. 1 I

I The present invention is an improvementon' the seat disclosed in my Patent 2,357,825, granted September 12, 1944', for a Seat.

In common with the seat shown in my said prior patent, objects of the invention are to provide a seat which has superior ride'charact'eristics'; which provides the maximum "vertical movement of the frame without interference, and absorbs objectionable jars and vibrations of all frequencies; in which the suspension is arranged below the seat; which is composed of simple parts and of a construction adapted to mass production; which is strong and durable in construc-- tion and will operatesmoothly and easily without damage; which is light in weight; and which is free from projecting parts adapted to injure the rider or interfere with its installation.

A specific object of the present invention isto' provide such a seat which has the appearance of luxurious comfort and in particular. has the appearance of very deep seat and back cushionsahd at the same time is so constructed that the ver-' tical forces are essentially resiliently resisted by a spring support arranged below the seat frame rather than through the seat cushion.

7 Another object of the invention is .to" provide particular number of springs required. for any particular installation. Another important object of the invention is to provide such a seat which is applicable without alteration to a wide range of automotive vehicle cabs, thereby to facilitate'its use both'as stand- 2 ard and'accessory equipment in the automotive field.

Another object of the invention is to provide a'spring support which-is of extremely light but at the same time durable construction and which positively guides all parts of the seat frame to:

move in a substantially vertical path without fcre-and-aft rocking, or lateral tipping.

' Another ob ect'is to provide a seat which can move below the level of the spring supporting; members and without contact of the seat pad structure with any underframing, thereby to avoid any direct jolt against the body.

Another object is to provide such a seat in which the normal initial elevation of the seat can be read ly adjusted to suit difierent cabs.

Another object 'of the invention is to provide a simplified and non-sagging form of seat and back cushion springs which will not sag or dis-- tort under conditions of severe use. L Another object is to provide upholstering, in-' cluding a cover, cushion or pad and bottom cloth which are'independently and easily replaceable. Another object is to provide such a seat, any part of which can be easily removed and re placed.

' Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description and drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a resiliently mounted chair type seat embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical foreand-aft section, this showingthe metal framework in elevation.

Fig. 3 is anenlargedhorizontal section taken"- generally on line 3- 3, Fig. 2, and looking downwardly. r

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional View taken on line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the back part of the chair frame, most of the upholstery being removed to disclose the con- Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 'i--'l, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a top plan the chairframe with thevupholstery removed to disclose the spring structure and frame construction, the tube connection between this seat part and the back part being shown in section.

, .Fig. 9 is avertical section taken on line 9--9, Fig. 8.

view of the seat part of The seat forming the subject of the invention is of the type comprising a cushioned chair-like seat frame having a back part which is relatively rigidly connected with a seat part thereof, a support or subframe adapted to be secured to the body of the vehicle, and a resilient spring suspension between the chair-like seat frame and i the support orsubtrame and. whicl'r resiliently: supports the chair-like seat frame and permits resilient, guided movement of the seat frame relative to the subframe.

The cushioned chair-like seat frame is showm as comprising a seat part indicated generally at E and a back part indicated generally at lfi and which is rigidly connected to the seat part through a tube i=8 which is bent to provide jointly the side members and; top and-:forwatd cross members of the chair-like seat frame, the ends of this tube being welded together to pro-= vide an endless tubular structure. This tube It extends along: the front of the seatpart l5, asindicated at 18, thence rearwardly along the sides of the seat part is as indicated: at 26, thence upwardly? along the sidesof the. back: part I5 as indicated at '21-, and. thence horizonta lly across the top: of:"tlie back part t6" as indicated at 22.. At the juncture between" the seat partands-baclc part of therchair frame, the opposite sides or: this tube" 18 areconnected by a. cross tube 23 suitably welded. at rts opposite ends to the; bends between the: parts? 8 and- 2 t off me tube It and preferably" disposed. slightly above a plane coincident with the'top surfaces oftheside parts 28 ot the tube t8;

This arrangement of. the cross tube 23- ac-' commodates a. transverse rear top spring plate. 214' which is arranged; below this cross tube 23 lengthwise: thereof and which is provided with end". extensions 25 at its forward side which rest on and are preferably welded to: the: side. i

parts 25- ot tlfe'seat part of thetube l-8-.. This transversev rear. top/ spring plate is downwardlyflangedl along its front and: rear. edges;v as indie sated at. 26, and isalso provided-smith circular downwardl extending depressions-or offsets which enter and center the upper ends of a. rear. now' of. helicalz compression springs 28. serving toprovide the yielding support for the chair=-- like seat fnamm. A. transverse fronttop spring platesfi iswelded: at its opposite ends to the under sides-ofthe side parts i il oftheseatpartzotthe tubea l8 and is .arnangeduimmediately in rear ot the front cross part iii of thistubes Aslwithl the-rear top spring plate 24 the front topspring. plate 3'] isdownwardly flanged along its front and. rear. edges, as indicated at 3|, and is also provided; with circular. downwardly extending depressions or offsets 32- which enter and center the upper: ends-0t a front. row of. the helical compress-ion springs 28 serving to provide the yielding. support. for. the chair-like seat. frame. It willbe observed. that this-arrangement and. attachment. of the spring. -pIates 24' and. 30 locates. the front and. rear row of. helical supporting springs 28 fbr the chair-like seat frame at the forward ex tremitiesl of the seat part l5 thereof, thereby to leave the space therebe'tween free for the. action of the other mechanisms as hereinafter described;

A metal apron 33' is welded along its upper edge to the under side of the front cross part I'd and side parts 2001 the seat part of the tube f8} this apron being U-shaped in horizontal cross part 34 welded to the cross part It and rearwardly extending side arms 35 welded to the side parts 20 of the tube I8. The rearwardly extending side arms 35 of the depending metal apron 33 are preferably of rearwardly tapering form and each is provided along its upper edge with a series of spaced fingers 36 which extend inwardly? and upwardly thereirom and are" preferablyprovided by offsetting corresponding portions of the metal of the horizontally extending side arms 35 of the depending metal apron 33.

Corresponding pairs of these fingers 36 on opposits: sides of. the seat frame engage and support the opposite: ends of cushion springs 38.

Each of these springs 38 is in the form of a sinusoidal length of. spring wire with its undulations arranged parallel with the cushion surfaces and, except for the foremost spring 38, with its ends bent to fit into and be supported by the'corresponding'. pair oi. fingers 38 at. opposite sides of thachair frame The foremost of. these sinusoidal. cushion. springs. .38 is disposed. above thespring; plate 38 andhas its endsinserted into fingers 3& struck. upwardly from the opposite endsaof this. cross platev 39.; These seat cushion springs 3:3. arch upwardly and. can be: interconnected at. suitable intervals bymetal clips or ties": 53 ina conventional manner.

Th cushion springs 38- are upholstered, and for this purpose a piece M. of heavy canvas. is. arranged: on topof. these springs. this piece of. canvas corresponding to the shape of the: seat. part It. On this piece 41 of heavy canvas is arranged. a pad: 42 of resilient material, such rubber having numerous voids. to provide a high degree of softness or. resiliency, this pad also corresponding to/ the shape: of the seat part Lit The rear. edge. of the piece. of heavy canvas. it extends upwardly along; the rear of the rubber pad: 42-. and is stitched. along this rear edge. to acover. 43! forming the surface of. the seat cushion and. made oi? a durable non-absorbent,- smooth, scufii and wear-resistant fabric. or artificialileatherfl This cover 43 extends forwardly from its attachment to the piece 41 of. heavy canvasalcng. the upper. surface: of the rubber pad. 42. and. at its. front. end M extends down! Wardl-y along; the forward face of this rubber pad and; the cross. part. 3.4. of. the depending n1etal= apron 33".- The lower edgeof this. front end 44 oft the. seat cover. .53. is generally coincident with the lower edge, of. the cross part 34. of the. de-

pending metal apron 33' and is secured thereto.

by any suitable form of fasteners. 45 secured. to thefront end 44 of the cover 43 along. thefl'ower: end thereof and each extending into a corre-- spending. hole. lS provided in the apron 33. 7 Side pieces 48 of the same material as the cover are stitchedlto the opposite-edges thereof and extend downwardly along opposite sides of the rubber pad. 42 and along the outer faces of' the mammary extending side arms 35 of the: depending metal apron 33. The. forward edge of each of these side pieces 48 of the seat cover is also stitched to its corresponding side edge of the front end 44' of the cover 43. The lower: edges of the side pieces 48 of the seat cover are enerally coincident with the lower edgesof the side arms 35jof the depending metal apron 33 and'are secured thereto by the fasteners 45. secured to these side pieces 48 of the seat coverandexten'ding into corresponding holes 49 provided in the apron 33'.

section for this purpose to provide a forward 7.5 A io a y if? 11.010? -up ry for the seat" in place, a pair of elastic straps 58 are secured to the seat cover 43 and the piece of heavy canvas 4| along the line of juncture thereof. Each ofthese elastic straps extends over the cross tube 23 at the rear of the seat part of the seat frame and is connected to the.

cross part 88a of the rear yoke 85a by a snap fastener 5|, one part of which is secured to the extremity of the strap and mates with another part secured to an intermediate part of the strap. These straps 58 serve to resiliently draw the seat cover 43 rearwardly and hence to remove unsightly wrinkles or distortions thereof.

The back part I5 is also provided with cushion cross springs each in the form of a sinusoidal length of spring wire with its undulations arranged parallel with the back cushion surface and with its opposite ends bent to enter a vertical series of holes 56 provided in the side parts 2i;

metal eyes 58 are screwed to the front face of the upper cross part 22 of the back part of the tube I8 to provide anchorage for the bent upper ends of a pair of side back cushion springs 59. As with the other cushion springs, each of these side back cushion springs 59 is in the form of a sinusoidal length of spring wire with its undulations arranged parallel with the back cushion surface and these cushion springs 59 are disposed'vertically along opposite vertical edges of the back cushion to provide increased support therefor. The lower end of each of these vertical back cushion springs 58 is bent to fit and anchor in an eye 60 struck upwardly from the corresponding end of the rear top sprin plate 24.

Intermediate the end eyes 58 so secured to the front face of the upper cross part 22 of the back part of the tube I8, a pair of similar eyes Bl are similarly screwed to this upper cross part 22 of the tubel8 in alinement with each, other. These eyes 6| jointly carry a rod 52 which thereby extends longitudinally al n he tubular cross part 22 of the chair frame and can have its ends caught under the end eyes 58.

canvas which extends along the forward sides of the two side back cushion springs 59 and. the horizontally extending cushion springs 55.,

In front ofthe piece 63 of heavy canvas is arranged a pad 64 of springy, resilient'material.

such as hair, the strands of which are cementitiously united. to provide an open felted structure. The lower edge of the piece 83 of heavyv canvas extends horizontally forwardly under the back pad 64 and is stitched along this for.- ward edge to a cover 65 forming the surface of the back cushion and made of a durable,- non-absorbent' smooth, scuff and wear-resistant fabric or artificial leather. The cover 65 extends upwardly from its attachment to the piece extends horizontally rearwardly along the upper side of the hair pad and is joined to the uppercross part 22 of. the chair frame by any suitable form of fasteners 45 secured to the upper To this rod is secured, in any suitable, manner, the upper end of a piece 63 of heavy.

6.. end 66 of the back cover 65 along the upper edge thereof and each extending into a corresponding hole '61 provided in the cross rod 22 of the chair frame.

Side pieces 68 of the same material as the back cover 65 are stitched to the opposite edges thereof and extend rearwardly along the op posite sides of the hair pad 64 to the tubular side parts 2| of the back part of the tube I8 forming the chair frame. The vertical free edges of the side pieces 68 of the back cover have suitable fasteners 45 attached thereto and anchoring in spaced holes 69 provided along each of the side parts 2! of the back part of the tubular seat frame [8.

The subframe, indicated generally at 18, is shown as comprising two fore-and-aft side rails H which are L-shaped in cross section and connected at their front ends by a transverse front bottom spring plate 12 and at their rear ends .by a transverse rear bottom spring supporting plate 13, these parts being welded together in rectangular arrangement. In addition, the rear extremities of the side rails H are shown as connected by a cross angle bar '14 having its flanges fitting and welded to the ends and top flanges of the side rails H. The subframe so formed is preferably supported for foreand-aft adjustment on the vehicle chassis so that the driver can adjust the forward positioning of the seat to suit his requirements. As such fore-and-aft adjustment forms no part of. the present invention, it is not illustrated. nor described.

The transverse front bottom spring plate 12 supports the forward row of the helical compression springs 28 and for this purpose is provided with circular upwardly extending offsets 15 corresponding to the similar circular offsets or depressions 32 of the front top spring plate 38 and which oifsets 15 enter and center the lower ends of the helical compression springs 28 interposed between these front spring plates. This transverse front bottom spring plate 12 is also strengthened by a downwardly projecting flange 16 along its forward edge and an upwardly projecting flange 18 along its rear edge. The transverse rear bottom spring plate 13su pports the rearward row of the helical compression spring 28 and for this purpose is provided with circular upwardly extending offsets 88 corresponding to the similar circular offsets or de-= pressions 21 of the rear top spring plate 24 and which offsets 88 enter and'center the lower ends-of the helical compression springs 28between these rear spring plates. The front and rear edges of this transverse rear bottom spring plate are shown as strengthened by upwardly projecting'fian'ges 8i.

The chair frame is guided to movein a gen erally vertical direction by a pair of yokes which are constructed and secured to the side rails H of the subframe and the side arms 35 of the depending apron 33 of the seat frame as follows:

The front yoke is in the form of a generally U-shaped metal rod having arms 86 which in the unloaded position of the seat extend forwardly and upwardly. The cross part 88 of the front yoke is formed to provide bearing portions 89 adjacent its arms 86 and journalled in bearings 90 on the base frame side rails 1!. Intermediate these bearings the cross part 88 of the forward yoke is offset, as indicated at 9|, downwardly and generally at right angles to the arms of the yoke. To the outer end of each of the yoke arms llfisis weliiedxa tubular eye d2: whichz eyes: are-in linawitireach' otherand each oi whim-embraces the shank ofia belt. 93. projecting; mwaroly: from the forward end of the corresponding side" arm taiofithe depending. apron 33; To provide aloearing, between. each eye 92- and: its holt Baa rubber sleeve 3 is held in compressive relation between these parts.

Eachof the bearings 98 isshown ascomprisinga bottom strip 95-013 metal having end legs suitably, welded. to 1 the corresponding side rail "H of the suloiraine and having asemi-cylindrical depressed part stat its-center to providealower hall: hearing, this lower half bearing supporting the rubber sleeve 99 in turn embracingthe; corresponding scaringportions 8939f the-yoke. Each rubber sleeve held in ccnnpressive relation with the: yclze amtlower hali hearinghy an upper halihcaring strip 5% riveted atits opposite ends to; the corresponding strip and arching; upwardly its center toemhrace the corresponding mhhcr sleeve 99'.

g The rear yoke. is identical to the front yoke Bi? except that. its cross part. 3 3d unprovided withthe' offset iii. The rear yokeis journaled on: the rear ends of the side rails ll of the subframe by bearings 89a identical with the bearings'SEl'ior the-front yoke and; the eyes-82a of the rear: yoke journalled in the same manner as with the ircntyoke 8%, through. rubber sleeves 93c: on. bolts 93a projecting inwardly from the rearward, end. of the corresponding side" arm. 35 of the depending apron 3 31.

Since the rear yoke 85a and its bearings; are substantially identical tothe front yoke 8.5 and its-:hearings; the description is not repeated, the same reference numerals being applied; to the rear yoke 85.! and its bearings and. distinguished by the suilix a.

The yol es aalf flflfllfi connected to rock inxunison so-that allparts of the seat frame move vertically inunison. For this purpose the front yoke 85 has welded thereto a pair of relatively short depending crank arms Hi5, these beingarranged adjlacent the hearings 9d. and outsideof the side rails H ofthesubirame. Eachof these crank arms carries a horizontal. outwardly projecting bolt. I105 forming a crank pin. Similarly, the rear yoke 85o, has welded thereto a pair. of relatively shortdepending crank: arms New, these being arranged adjacent the bearings 5e and. outside of the side rails ll of the suhframe. Each of these crank. arms carries a horizontally ontwardly proiecting bolt illfia forming a crank pin.

.- The crankpins m5, i850; at each side: of. the.

subirame are; connected by a connecting; rod, Hi8;

For thispurpose tubular eyes H39, iilSc are'welded' to eachend of each of these connectingrods and these eyes are fitted over thecrank pins W6, 36c, a-.-sleeve; H53, H; of rubber being ccmpressively interposed between each eye and crank pin.

A telescopic shock absorber indicated genorally at. Hi is interposed between the chair frame and the suoframe to reduce the effect of rebound; forces; The shock absorber can be of any conventional form and is shown as vertically arranged in rear-of; the seat frame and as having an: inner telescoping part i 12 pivoted at-its lower end to a. belt I it projecting horizontally and laterally from the upstandine'leg of an L-shaped foracketl'l i' welded centrally to the upper side of therear cross bar 'M of thesubframe. The outer telescoping part N5 of the shock absorber is pivoted to a bolt tit-projecting horizontally and laterally fromia vertical bar- 1 l8 welded to a cross has: 119;:01. the; chair frame; thisscross bar- Ll; beingwelded at its; ends to the. parts: 2| cit-the tubular frame It. A seriesi oi. holes- [21L inthe vertical. bar. lid is provided. for. the reception at the bolt H16. and it will therefore. be seen that the initial elevation: of the chair frame: can be readily adjusted, through the selection. of. the appropriate hole [20- to suit the particular vehicle-chassis on which the seat is to be mounted;

The seat. is shown in its, normally unloaded position.- in. which. the arms 36,, 86a of the two yokes 8", a project upwardly and iorwardly; and the crank arms lilli, lilSa project downwardly. When the rider: sits upon the seat; the arms 85;, 86a of the. two yokes are: swung downwardly slightly to a normalrposition, the weight of the driver: being supported by'the six helical compression springs 28- as well. as by the eight rubber. bushings: 9.4, Na: and 1210., How, which pivotally connect the two: yokes with; the seat frame andv with the sub-f-rame.

When the vehicle frame moved-upwardly upon encountering; a. bump in. the road, the weight of the occupant of the seat moves therseat frame downwardly in the path determined, by

the arms at, Miaof the yokes 85., lite, and theseat frame being held against tipping forwardly o1: backwardly during this downward movement. Since the arms of the": two yokes connect with opposite sides of the seat frame, thereislalso-no tendency for the seat frame to.rock,.tip. or twist in its downward movement.

In this downward. movementoi theseat frame the arms of thetwoyokcs approach and swing into the same horizontal plane. In thispcsiticn of therparts the'parallelogram linkage is notisutficiently stable to prevent fore-and-ait rockingoi: the chair frame. Further, when the-arms of: the two yokespass into the same horizontal plane; the arms of thefrontyoke wculdnormallybefree torotate in one direction while the arms-oi the other yokewould be free to-rotateintheoppositc direction. This would, of course, cause thesea-t frame to lurchto an. upwardly or hackwardiy tipped position and. also the partswould become locked. in this lurched position, and render the suspension-wholly useless. Toe-void this, the'two connecting rods Hi8; are-provided, these connect ing rodsbeing secured to the. crank armsctfifi, liiEaof the. two yokesand these crankarmsbe ing set. at a differentangle fromthe armsfihfiiirz of these yokes. By. virtue of this interconnection of the. two yokes by theinclependent connecting rods lfiiLthe. yokes areal'wayscompelled to rotate uniformlyin. the same direction. even when 1 their arms 86, 85a are arranged in or close'tothe same plane the stability of the seat is maintained and there is no danger. of these yokes rotating so as to throw the seat to a cooked position inwhich the parts interlock and render the suspensioninoperative.

By the use of a pair of crank arms. i625, 1051;: at each side of the structure and; a czmnectins, rod between each pair at each side ofithe structure, these crank arms can. be made very short. and

Y light in weight, the shortness of these crank arms reducing the overall height of the spring'suspension, as compared, for example, with the structure shown in my said Patent" No. 2,357,825, thereby to facilitate the installation ofthe'seat in'a wider range of truck cabs.

It will further be noted thatv the seat is supported by the widely spaced. transverse rows of springs 28' which canbe. provided in any'numfoer to secure the desired ride. At. the: same time thesesprings are so: arranged. as not to intcriere with the operating mechanism and more particularly to leave the underside of the seat pad unobstructed so that the occupant of the seat is not brought directly against any underframing upon a severe jolt. Further, by providing the ofiset M in the forward yoke 65 the center part of this yoke is depressed under bottoming conditions so that this yoke cannot directly contact the bottom of the seat pad structure to cause discomfort.

The rebound movement of the seat is eifected by the springs 26 and rubber bushings and is restricted by the shock absorber iii which limits the upward movement of the seat frame, and it will particularly be noted that the upper connection for the shock absorber permits of adjustment of the seat for the normal or initial elevation desired for any particular cab installation. Thus, by selecting any one of the holes I20 for insertion of the bolt H6 the initial height of the seat can be adjusted as desired.

It will also be noted that the metal apron 33 serves to strengthen the seat frame, to provide anchorage for the seat suspension parts, to provide anchorage for the greater part of the sinus oidal metal seat springs 36 and also to provide a skirt to which the seat cover is secured along its lower edge. Further, by this arrangement the seat cushion has the appearance of luxurious depth even though it is composed of a comparatively thin pad and upholstery designed primarily to fit the body rather than to cushion impacts. Further, by this metal apron, there is no interference in operation of the parts of the suspension arranged below the seat and at the same time these parts are effectively concealed so as to enhance the appearance of the seat.

It will further be seen that both the seat cushion and back cushion are supported by cushion springs which are not liable to sag or break and which, for the back cushion in particular, are so arranged as to maintain the box-like form of this cushion. It will also be seen that both seat and back covers and pads can be readily removed and replaced independently of the other parts of the upholstery and that the upholstery, while completely and easily removable from the seat frame is reliably held in place thereon both through the multiplicity of fasteners 45 and the interconnection of the heavy canvas pads 4|, 63 with the covers 43, 65, respectively, as well as by the elastic straps 50. It will also be noted that the elastic straps 50 serve to smooth out the surface of the seat cushion each time the user arises, the upward movement of the seat drawing these straps taut to draw the seat cover rearwardly. The elastic form of these straps establishes the shock absorber as the medium for limiting the upward movement of the seatand avoids breaking of these straps.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a seat which is particularly adapted for installation in commercial vehicles to provide a comfortable and healthful ride for the driver and riders of such vehicles and that the seat is of durable and rugged construction with all parts readily accessible for replacement or repairs.

I claim:

1. In a seat structure having a subframe, a seat frame having a seat part arranged immediately above said subframe, a forward U-shaped yoke having its cross part journalled on said sub-frame to swing about a horizontal transverse axis and having its arms projecting forwardly and upwardly and pivotally connected to the front of said seat part and a rear U-shaped yoke having its cross part journalled on said subframe to swing about a horizontal transverse axis and having its arms projecting forwardly and upwardly and pivotally connected to the rear of said seat part, the combination with said subframe and said seat frame of a resilient support for the latter, comprising a pair of transverse rows of helical compression springs interposed between and in engagement with said subframe and seat part and each arranged immediately in advance of the cross part of a corresponding one of said yokes.

2. In a seat structure having a subframe including side rails, a seat frame including a seat part arranged immediately above said subframe, springs interposed between said subframe and seat part, a forward U-shaped yoke having its cross part journalled in end bearings on the forward ends of said side rails to swing about a horizontl transverse axis, the arms of said yoke extending upwardly and forwardly, means pivotally connecting the outer ends of said arms to said seat part of said seat frame, a rear U-shaped yoke having its cross part journalled in end bearings on the rear ends of said side rails to swing about a horizontal transverse axis, the arms of said rear yoke extending upwardly and forwardly and means pivotally connecting the outer ends of said arms to said seat part of said seat frame, the combination with said subframe and said seat frame of a resilient support for the latter, comprising a pair of transverse rows of helical compression springs interposed between and in engagement with said subframe and seat part and each arranged immediately in advance of the cross part of a corresponding one of said yokes, a pair of short depending crank arms fast to the cross part of each of said yokes and each arranged adjacent the corresponding one of said bearings and outside of the corresponding side rail, and a com necting rod pivotally connecting the pair of crank arms at each side of said subframe.

ALBERT F. HICKMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 533,009 Holland et a1 Jan. 22, 1895 1,300,853 McDonald Apr. 15, 1919 1,353,340 I-leitzenreder Sept. 2, 1920 1,769,434 Jones July 1, 1930 1,958,481 Lee May 15, 1934 2,241,909 Hoven et al May 13, 1941 2,253,914 Probst Aug. 26, 1941 2,261,996 I-Iaberstump Nov. 11, 1941 2,286,168 Flint et al. June 9, 1942 2,357,825 Hickman et al Sept. 12, 1944 2,486,048 McIntyre et a1 Oct. 25, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 634,647 Germany Sept. 1, 1935 499,162 Great Britain Jan. 19, 1939 

